We know of at least three amendments that will be offered and are trying to run down several more. The way it looks right now, GOP Reps. David Reed of Indiana County and Mark Gillen of Berks County will be offering amendments, ditto for Rep. Dan Frankel of Allegheny County.

Democrats dismissed the Reed amendment as too weak because it would impose an initial tax of $25,000-per-well, phasing it out entirely over a decade. They also say there's language in the amendment repealing the state's Hazardous Sites Clean-Up Act, which is pretty much what it sounds like.

Gillen's proposal would impose a $40,000-per-well fee in its first year, shrinking to $10,000 by year 10. After 10 years, it would be sunsetted. Gillen says his proposal would raise $60 million in its first year. All the money raised by the fee would go to local property tax relief.

In a brief interview, Gillen said his bill has received an official sign-off from Americans for Tax Reform, meaning that Gov. Corbett could sign it without arousing The Wrath of the Grover.

We're still trying to figure out if other impact fee proposals, such as those offered by Reps. Marguerite Quinn of Bucks County and Kate Harper of Montgomery County, might be offered during floor debate today.

Frankel's amendment would add the contamination of surface and ground-water to the environmental contamination exception to a tort-reform bill that Gov. Tom Corbett is set to sign into law today.

Another Democratic amendment sponsored by Rep. Steve Santarsiero, D-Bucks, would impose a moratorium on drilling until the governor "certifies that the Commonwealth has a severance tax," or until the Earth plunges into the sun, whichever happens first.

An amendment offered by Rep. Camille "Bud" George, D-Clearfield, would set up minimum space requirements between gas wells and water supplies and existing buildings; give the DEP greater leeway to deny well permits and require DEP to consult with the PA Fish & Boat Commission on permits, House Democratic spokesman Bill Patton said.

More astute readers will recall that Corbett opposes a severance tax outright and has said he'd consider an impact fee under limited conditions. He also wants to wait until LG Jim Cawley's Shale Commission returns its report next month before lawmakers act on an impact fee.

Thus, it's not entirely clear whether today's vote, which comes on second consideration, and not third, is the real thing or is just intended as a so-called "pressure valve" to show that the House, like tried to do something man, about an impact fee, but just couldn't get it over the goal line.